TOURS RUN MAY 1 TO AUGUST 31, 2019.

Tours can be booked by appointment any time between 9-6, Monday-Saturday.

The Exchange District is one of the most iconic and vibrant neighbourhoods in Winnipeg. This National Historic Site features an exceptional collection of heritage buildings built between 1880 and 1920. Nicknamed the “Chicago of the North”, the Exchange features massive stone and brick warehouses, elegant terracotta-clad buildings, narrow angled streets as well as cobblestone paths and alleyways.

On our guided walking tours, knowledgeable and dynamic tour guides examine legends of power, corruption and heroism all while you enjoy an exceptional collection of architecture. A must-see for visitors and locals!

Main Tours

STRIKE! THE EXTENDED WALKING TOUR

(EXCLUSIVE FOR 2019!)

Immerse yourself in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike on this expanded version of our themed walking tour. On it, you will learn what life was like in Winnipeg in the years leading up the strike, from earlier labour strikes to a city-wide influenza epidemic, as well as the events of the Winnipeg General Strike and what happened in the years to follow. Hear, too, about the impact of the Strike and how it influenced such individuals as Jessie Kirk (the first woman on city council), the Notorious Helen Armstrong, and Labour politicians including J.S. Woodsworth.

West Exchange

Explore the rich cultural history steeped in the West Side of the Exchange District including Newspaper Row, high class hotels, the first car dealership in Western Manitoba, and much more!

Visit Red River College’s award-winning Duff Roblin Campus and Paterson GlobalFoods Institute with two interior stops that showcase both heritage and innovative green building designs.

The West Exchange Tour highlights the history and architecture on the west side of Main Street.

Art & Architecture

The Exchange District is home to one of the most well-preserved collection of heritage buildings from the turn of the 20th century. Learn how architectural styles evolved as Winnipeg grew, from modest brick and mortar warehouses and terracotta skyscrapers to the modernist structures of the 1960s and ’70s.

Along the way, you’ll learn about the art and artists that have made the Exchange a thriving arts hub in Winnipeg.

Special thanks to the Winnipeg Architecture Foundation for its help in planning this tour.

East Exchange

Explore the vibrant and bustling history of the East Exchange, from turn of the century banks to the Grain Exchange, and the new development on Waterfront Drive.

Visit Hell’s Alley and learn how the Winnipeg General Strike shaped the labour movement in Canada for generations to come.

The East Exchange walking tour highlights the history and architecture on the east side of Main Street.

Theme Tours

Death and Debauchery

Take a walk on the wild side and explore the dark secrets that made Winnipeg the “Wickedest City in the Dominion”.

See a different side of Winnipeg’s history with drunk mayors, angry mobs, prostitutes on horseback, and even a few executions.

Strike! The Walking Tour

The 1919 Winnipeg General Strike was the longest and most violent labour conflict in North America and had a major national impact on the labour movement.

Learn about the plight of the strikers from the citywide halt of production to the firing of the police force, and the tragic events of Bloody Saturday.

Winnipeg’s Wonder Women

From pioneer Annie McDermot to suffragette Nellie McClung, Winnipeg has been shaped by many remarkable women.

Hear all about Cora Hind, the first female journalist in Western Canada, as well as the creation of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and the women who participated in the Winnipeg General Strike.

Punks & Anarchists

Hear about the rule-breakers and game-changers that made their mark on the Exchange. See the sights of riots and protests, and the venues that made the Exchange a center for punk music in the 1990s.

Planning a Group Activity?

Every year, school groups, local organizations, conference attendees and many others explore the Exchange District through our guided walking tours. Take advantage of our reduced rates for groups of 15 or more. Contact the Exchange District BIZ to arrange a tour at a time that is convenient for your group. Customized content from any of our tour options is available.